Terminology: Bolsters and Liners

[bquinlan]

Can someone tell me exactly what bolsters and liners are?

--Bob Q

 

[MNH]

Yea, I'll take a shot at it.

Bolster:

Metal tip on the handle of folder, generally at the pivot end (intended to strengthen the pivot area?). May be on both ends, but generally only if two or more blades pivot from both ends. Handle slab or scale fits flush below or between the bolsters. See Micro Tech LLC, standard Barlow, or most old style springback folders.

Liner:

Generally metal, brass, steel, aluminum, titanium are all fairly common. Liners line the blade recess in the handle of a folder. Intended to strengthen construction and/or provide a locking mechanism for the knife. Generally folders that have liners have liners both sides of the blade recess, some however have only one (Spyderco Wegners) or may appear to have none (Spyderco Military).


Mike

 

[bquinlan]

That's what I wanted to know. Thank you for the explanation!

--Bob Q

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Mike, you are correct in thinking that the bolster is to strengthen the pivot area of the folder, or to put it another way, to bolster the strength of that area.

Keith.

 

[MNH]

Keith,

Agree, that is what the word means. I think some bolsters are more decoration than functional however.


Mike